ISC Class 12 Mathematics Paper Pattern
The ISC Class 12 Mathematics theory paper is 80 marks in three hours, plus 20 marks of project work. The 2027 specimen paper has 20 compulsory questions in four sections, A to D, of 1, 2, 3 and 5 marks. This is a change from the 2026 board paper, where Section A was compulsory and you chose Section B or C.
- 80marks, theory paper
- 3 h + 15 minwriting time and reading time
- 20 marksproject work
2027 specimen paper (the new layout): 80 marks
| Section | Questions | Marks | What it asks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Section A | Q1: twenty sub-parts of 1 mark | 20 | very short answer questions: multiple-choice (15), assertion-reason (2) and short (3) |
| Section B | Q2 to Q8: 7 questions of 2 marks | 14 | short answer questions |
| Section C | Q9 to Q15: 7 questions of 3 marks | 21 | moderately long answer questions |
| Section D | Q16 to Q20: 5 questions of 5 marks | 25 | long answer questions, many set in a real-life situation |
| Total | 20 questions, all compulsory | 80 |
Printed on the specimen: all questions are compulsory; internal choices are given in three questions each in Sections B, C and D.
2026 board paper (the previous layout): 80 marks
| Part | Questions | Marks | What it asks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Section A (compulsory) | Q1 to Q14 | 65 | functions, matrices and determinants, calculus, differential equations, probability |
| Section B or Section C | Q15 to Q18, or Q19 to Q22: answer all the questions of one section | 15 | B: vectors, three-dimensional geometry, application of integrals. C: linear regression, application of calculus (cost and revenue) and linear programming |
| Total | 22 questions printed, 18 answered | 80 |
From the 2026 board paper. The 2027 syllabus lists seven units (see the syllabus guide) and the specimen paper above has no choice between sections.
What the question paper says
- The 2027 specimen paper has twenty questions in four sections and all of them are compulsory. Section A has only multiple-choice, assertion-reason and short one-mark items.
- Write only one option as the answer to a multiple-choice question.
- All workings, including rough work, should be done on the same page as, and next to, the rest of the answer. Mathematical tables and graph papers are provided.
- You get 15 minutes of reading time before the three hours.
Project work
Paper II is project work of 20 marks. You complete two projects, each marked out of 10 by the subject teacher and a visiting examiner: overall format 1, content 4, findings 2 and a viva-voce on the project 3.
Open real Mathematics papers
Common questions
How many marks is the ISC Class 12 Mathematics paper?
80 marks for theory in three hours, and 20 marks for project work (two projects of 10 marks each).
What is the ISC Maths 2027 paper pattern?
The 2027 specimen paper has 20 compulsory questions in four sections: A (1 mark each, 20 marks), B (2 marks each, 14 marks), C (3 marks each, 21 marks) and D (5 marks each, 25 marks).
Is there a choice between Section B and Section C in ISC Maths?
In the 2026 board paper there was: Section A was compulsory and you answered all of either Section B or Section C. The 2027 specimen paper has no such choice; all four sections are compulsory.
Are mathematical tables allowed in the ISC Maths exam?
Mathematical tables and graph papers are provided with the paper, as the instructions on the question paper state.
Keep reading
Checked against the printed instructions of the 2026 board papers and the 2027 specimen papers, and CISCE’s ISC 2027 syllabus. Last checked 2026-10-16.